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Alko Hitch Noises, Complete Strip Down!

The Caravan Place

22,100 views

Is your caravan making a horrible knocking, creaking or squeaking noise when towing? 😬 You’re not alone… and it’s usually your AL-KO hitch!

In this video, Mark from The Caravan Place shows you exactly why your AL-KO stabiliser hitch is making noise and walks you through a full strip down, clean, and fix to stop it for good.

If you’ve been hearing clunking when braking, squeaking when turning, or grinding noises while towing, this guide could save you time, money, and a lot of stress.

🔧 What You’ll Learn:
Common causes of AL-KO hitch noise

How the AL-KO stabiliser hitch system works

Step-by-step strip down of the AL-KO hitch

How to clean and maintain friction pads correctly

What NOT to lubricate (this is where most people go wrong!)

How to stop squeaks, knocks & grinding noises when towing

When your pads need replacing vs cleaning

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid:
Using grease on stabiliser pads ❌

Ignoring worn friction pads ❌

Towing with contamination on tow ball ❌

🧰 Tools You May Need:
Screwdrivers

Socket set

Clean cloths

Brake cleaner (or similar)

Replacement AL-KO pads (if worn)

📍 Visit Us:
The Caravan Place
Gailey, Staffordshire
🌐 https://www.thecaravanplace.com

📞 Call us if you’re thinking of buying or selling a caravan!

📲 Follow Us:
Facebook: The Caravan Place
Instagram: @thecaravanplace
TikTok: @thecaravanplace

🎥 More Videos You’ll Love:
Caravan Maintenance Tips 🔧

What Caravan Kit You ACTUALLY Need

Common Caravan Mistakes to Avoid

#alkohitchnoise #alkoaks3004 #alkohitch

20 Comments

@mikemcguire1885 1 month ago

I find putting the back pad in first is easier - you can use the screwhole at the front to put your screwdriver in which avoids too much of an angle

@jondu-sud274 1 month ago (edited)

Perfect, thanks very much. Currently on tour and have developed creaky noises, so can now sort it out. Cheers.

@simonthefire 3 months ago

14 mm spanner under the indicator will keep it up and out the way👍had to clean mine while in France, didn’t clean the towball after it rained and the surface rust on the tow ball was enough to contaminate the pads

@Mimer6 3 months ago

What a great review. Really impressively clear and concise. Thank you very much.

@nigelterry6703 5 months ago (edited)

Wow I always clean my towbar and wipe the pads and spray them. But didn't know about the other two pads so will make sure I clean them. But don't think I will attempt the dismantle leave that to the service centre 😅 great video

@VitaminVaultOfficial 5 months ago (edited)

I had a slightly different noise I had a knocking noise thst appeared suddenly while towing. The hitch head you could move up and down there was alot of play. Used a Grease gun on the nipple problem solved.. Might also be worth a mention on your channel

@Phil-h6z 4 months ago

Beautifully explained. One further detail I’d like to understand is the function and operation of the small rear lever. I assume that pushes and then hold the rear pad in place against the tow ball?

@johnbennett4796 3 months ago

great help thanks

@TourWithTheGrocotts 5 months ago

Could you do one on the winterhoff please mark? Thanks

@reecesearle741 5 months ago

Just had my new friction pads replaced as the hitch was making more noise than ever the man showed me the pads and they were still shiny in the middle surely after doing 200 miles on the new pads they still shouldn’t be shiny anyway they replaced them

@colinmossman8812 5 months ago

A very clear, instructive video Mark, thank you. One question: Are the replacement pads the same for all alko hitches?

@robertbull3428 5 months ago

Great video Mark. We were wondering how did you get involved in the caravan business?. It would be nice to explain this in a short video. Cheers.

@simoneversley-raw4577 5 months ago

I had new pads fitted. My hitch has pads front and back. The first time I towed it with them fitted i shocked a man that was sleeping on his sunbed. Lmao
A quick rough up with some sand paper and cleaned the tow ball. All good.

@jermurphy2167 5 months ago

Top tip mark .. to do top pad ..lift the indicator up ..use an open spanner to hold indicator up on outside..makes job so much easier

@nzdeb100 2 months ago

We brought our bailey discovery in February here in New Zealand and the problem we have is puti it on , my husband makes sure he moves forward after reversing the van but it still doesn't go on easily we have to push down with all our might . We are seniors.

@Art-d8n 3 weeks ago

Where can I buy genuine Alko parts for this task, please? Appreciate your channel, subscribed

@Cor_Bach 5 months ago

Where can we get the 4×4 retrofit adapter, Mark? Search engines suggest that they're discontinued.

@jamiebradshaw288 5 months ago

Hi Mark, long-time viewer and big fan. Great video and thanks for your (as ever) detailed insight into a fix. We still have a really annoying squeak coming from our ‘A frame’ area, I assumed it was the hitch, but after completing your steps (replaced all 4 pads and look after my balls) it’s still there! 😱

Any ideas what else it could be? It’s almost like a polystyrene/mousy squeak at all speeds over any little bump or wiggle in the road. Worse after a long journey and very embarrassing when we arrive on site and everyone is trying to enjoy the peace and quiet 🙈🙉

2014 Swift Conqueror 530 with ALKO AKS 3004 and ATC.